Author: Lynn Clark

As we all know, air conditioning can help motorists stay cool, comfortable and alert at the wheel using a controlled, in-car ambient temperature throughout the year. This, in turn, can reduce driver error caused by fatigue or frustration. Aiding efficient demisting of windows, it also gives drivers a clearer view of the road, potentially reducing the risk of accidents due to poor vision.

It’s worth noting that your vehicle’s air-conditioning system can harbour waterborne bacteria if not regularly maintained. These can not only create an unpleasant stale smell inside your car but be harmful to your health once inhaled when you switch on your air-conditioning unit. Possible signs may include light flu-type symptoms.

Not regularly servicing the air-con system could mean that it fails in the heat of the summer. Repairs usually turn out to be a lot more expensive than a service, and as with most things, prevention is always better than cure.

While most vehicles are now fitted with air-conditioning as standard, the system is rarely included in the manufacturer’s servicing schedule. Unless air conditioning systems are serviced correctly – by specially trained and fully qualified technicians – with the pressurised refrigerants and lubricants safely filtered, cleansed, recycled and reinstated for optimum output, strain on the compressors driving them can increase the load on the engine. This in turn can cause premature wear and tear leading to reduced vehicle performance, increased fuel consumption and higher vehicle emissions.

Servicing in this area is a specialist job, not least because of the environmental, health and safety issues involved. Air conditioning systems hold potentially hazardous waste in the form of HFCs – hydrofluorocarbons. These are gases that, while accepted by Government as the good practice alternative to CFCs, should not be released into the atmosphere.

With the right servicing equipment and qualified operator, HFCs can be recycled safely and efficiently. This allows them to be used repeatedly during the lifetime of an air conditioning unit, which will then do the job it was designed for without dragging down the overall performance of your car.

To avoid reduced performance, bigger fuel bills and future costly repairs, experts advise specialised servicing of air conditioning units. Depending on use – the more frequently air conditioning is turned on, the less frequent the servicing requirement. However, a professional “Air Con Health Check” is recommended every one to three years.

Make sure that your vehicle’s air conditioning system is working efficiently in time for your family’s summer break. Many local garages and main dealers have trained technicians able to offer experience in the field of vehicle air-conditioning maintenance. Many can change poly-filters, disinfect the system using anti-bacterial treatments and re-gas your vehicle’s air conditioning unit. In some instances, operators offer this service at low cost through their promotional activities to raise customer numbers.

So why not check out the deals currently available at your local garages, main dealers and specialist workshops to ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning system is working efficiently in time for the arrival of the hot summer weather?

For these celebs dropping a cool six-figures, or more, on a new car can be a monthly or daily occurrence. And it’s not only brand-new, out-of-the wrapper models, it’s cool classics, one-of-a-kinds and even cars that are literally out of this world.

There are some pretty impressive car collections out there but here’s our top 5.

Jay Leno

He arguably has one of the most famous and varied car collections in the world. Most famous for hosting the US comedy late night chat show, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, he reportedly has a collection of almost 290 cars and bikes and was once valued at around $50 million. Short change for someone reportedly worth around $350 million. Some of his most notable cars include a Duesenberg Model X of which only 5 still exist, a 2006 EcoJet which wasn’t made for production and was built in his own garage and a unique 1906 Stanley Steamer – not only powered by steam but made entirely of wood. Luckily for us, Jay loves to share his collection with others and offers fans a glimpse of his most popular cars in his CNBC show ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’.

Rowan Atkinson

He may be remembered most fondly for playing the role of the hapless Mr Bean driving around in a yellow Mini Cooper, but the real-life actor’s taste in cars couldn’t be further from his quirky character. His collection contains some of the most tasteful and classy cars in existence from an Aston Martin V8 Zagato to a Bentley Birkin Muslanne. What you may not know, is Rowan’s passion for racing, he even crashed the Aston Martin V8 while competing in an owners’ club event. Sadly, that wouldn’t be the only time he crashed one of his prized possessions, famously crashing his rare purple McLaren F1 not once, but twice! But don’t worry, he sold the McLaren in 2015 for £8 million. He’s a collector that feels the joy of getting behind the wheel of his cars and not keeping them locked away, saying “I’m not a collector. I don’t like the toy cupboard syndrome that causes so many good cars to evaporate. It depresses me that they are hidden away like investment art, or gold ingots in a Swiss vault.”

Lady Gaga

Not the biggest car collection by any means, but considering she only passed her driving test in 2016, Gaga already has the beginnings of a seriously impressive collection. It’s obvious she loves a good American muscle car, like her mint blue Chevy Nova SS and black Chevy El Camino. But she also loves a nice classic such as her Mercedes-Benz W123 and Ford F-150 Pick Up which she was famously pulled over in just two weeks after she passed her driving test. But it’s not all classics for Gaga, she loves a bit of luxury too by adding two Rolls-Royce Phantoms to her fleet, along with a Porsche Boxster and Lamborghini Huracán. We can’t wait to see what else she adds!

The Sultan of Brunei

Maybe not technically a ‘celeb’ but with a collection of almost 5,000 cars and worth around $300 million, it would be hard to keep him off the list! He’s one of the richest men in the world and owns the largest car collection in the world, with a mix of high-end vehicles, priceless classics and concept cars. Not only that, but his collection contains one of the world’s priciest cars, a $14 million custom Rolls-Royce Spur Limousine packed with 24k gold. Although his collection has never been fully accurately reported, there is speculation that it contains 300 Ferraris, 11 McLaren F1’s and 600 Rolls Royce’s. Ok, we are officially jealous.

Ralph Lauren

Being the owner of a multi-billion-dollar fashion empire, it’s not a surprise that Ralph has made that small leap from fashion to cars. He’s estimated to be worth around $5.8 billion so what else is he going to spend his hard-earned cash on? With nearly 70 cars in his collection, they include stylish numbers like a McLaren F1, Lamborghini Reventon and a 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi”. His collection is rumoured to be worth around $350 million and has even featured in some of his catwalk shows, surrounded by other stunning models. Not only are the cars impressive but also the garage where they are housed. The two-floor museum like structure was built in an old car dealership in New York, with black floors, white walls and stunning lighting. There’s a workshop next door, small living space, office and library.

Thinking of adding to your own car collection? Or even just starting out? Search over 200,000 used cars including cool classics and up to date models from dealers throughout the UK.

Although the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, regarded as the world’s first vehicle with an internal combustion engine, was designed by Karl Benz, it was actually his wife Bertha that financed the project. She was also the first person to drive it on a 121-mile round trip. You could say that was the world’s very first car road test.

In 1914, Florence Lawrence made history when she invented brake lights and the turn indicator. However, Florence failed to patent the turn indicator with Oscar J.Simler going on to do it himself. Another key safety feature we couldn’t be without is the windshield wiper, patented by Mary Anderson in 1903.

It’s not just in design where women were changing history, take Denise McCluggage, in 1959 she was the first female driver to win the feature sports-car event at Thompson Raceway driving a Porsche RS. She’s also the only automotive journalist inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

More Women at the Top

Although we’ve certainly seen changes in the past few years, to many, women are still filling the periphery roles with just a few managing to break through to the top. But we need more female leaders.

It was recently announced that Aston Martin’s Laura Schwab, who is their President of Americas, will open Autocar Great British Women in the Car Industry – Rising Stars event in the summer, held in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Schwab was appointed Aston Martin’s first ever female President of Americas in 2015, having joined the firm from Jaguar Land Rover, where she worked for more than 15 years, holding senior roles in marketing, communications and sales operations.

She commented: “The auto industry is full of creativity and innovation, now more than ever. As one of its few female leaders, I’d always eyed the corner office, but never had a woman to look upon for inspiration.”

The thinking behind the event, which began in 2016, was to put a positive focus on the opportunities that can be found within the industry, not only for men, but for women too.

Schwab hopes that her story will encourage more women to continue their climb to the top of what she describes as a “wonderful industry, where a diverse approach to leadership will be a welcome change to the status quo.”

Other notable women in the automotive industry include Barb Samardzich, who after many years working at Ford is now on the Board of Directors at Adient, a company that is a global leader in automotive seating.

Also, it is good to see that in January this year, Louise O’Sullivan was appointed as Network Operations Director for Renault UK after working as head of their Dacia business and Mandy Dean became Ford of Britain’s new Marketing Director.

Technical Trades Explored at VW

For women to truly be part of the industry means not just achievement at the top, but many more being part of the hands-on, day-to-day work that keeps the wheels going.

That’s why the initiative by Volkswagen to invite over a thousand female students from grades 6 to 10 to ten different locations throughout Germany for Girls’ Day 2019 was very welcome. The girls gained an insight into technical trades and found out from other young women and training staff why such trades are varied, exciting and future-proof.

“Diversity is a main priority at Volkswagen,” said Martin Rosik, Head of Human Resources at the company. “Our goal is to have mixed teams of employees with very different backgrounds, experience and skills.”

He was pleased that Girls’ Day gave female students the opportunity to find out about the many technical trades that are open to them. Volkswagen has said it is steadily working on increasing the share of women in technical trades.

Being Recognised in Service

Women offer an invaluable service to the industry that needs to be recognised. For example, Olivia Dunn from the Kia Stoneacre Wallasey branch has recently won her way to represent the UK at the KIA Service Advisors Skills Cup World Finals, in Korea later this April.

But, until the time that your fully qualified technician in your local garage is just as likely to be a woman as a man, there is still a long way for the industry to go. It’s a long journey, but one that is under way.

The SMMT have stated that they want to work closely with the government to make sure that the “interests of [the] sector, jobs and investment are safeguarded and future competitiveness of this industry is secured.” But with turmoil at the very heart of Westminster, that is easier said than done.

Free-Flow of Goods

Perhaps the issue of most concern is the free-flow of goods across the border. As part of the EU, this was not an issue for the UK. Under a Brexit scenario however, this will change. Costs in future tariffs alongside the need to strike new deals can be seen as a negative issue. The counter argument is the opportunities that world-wide, unrestricted trading will give to the industry.

Another concern put forward is potential problems with the ‘just-in-time’ manufacturing process. Having to cope with making storage and warehouse provision, together with increases in transport times across restricted borders is a negative. But having to adapt to new working practices will create new jobs and improve prospects in local economies. Yes, change can be good.

UK Production

With UK car manufacturing suffering another decline in January this year and volumes falling by 18.2%, is this purely down to Brexit or other factors? Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT says the decline was a result of model changes and weaker demand in both the UK and key export market. He added: “Another month of decline is a serious concern. The industry faces myriad challenges, from falling demand in key markets, to escalating global trade tensions and the need to stay at the forefront of future technology. But the clear and present danger remains the threat of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, which is monopolising time and resources, undermining competitiveness.” [1]

It’s not all doom and gloom for UK production with Toyota starting production of its new Corolla at its Derbyshire factory back in January. This follows Toyota’s announcement of a £240 million investment in to the Derbyshire factory, with new equipment, technologies and systems. [2]

Car Prices on the Rise?

The most obvious concern for the British motorist with Brexit looming is – will it cost more to buy a car? With this is mind, Carwow have created an online tool[3] which aims to predict the prices of cars after Brexit. Using a collection of data sources, it predicts that customers’ fear’s may be spot on with the prices of Honda, Hyundai and Fiat set to increase between £2500 and £3000, with higher end makes such as BMW and Audi increasing over £8,000. Although, some makes didn’t fare too badly with the average price of a new Ford increasing by £727. Could Brexit be blamed solely for these price increases or can demand in new technologies contribute as well?

Future Regulations

One factor that the SMMT has highlighted as a key issue is the “future influence on regulations affecting the UK automotive industry.” This is a tricky subject, one that is not helped by the seeming paralysis in the Parliamentary decision makers. This does hold to an assumption that the current situation is the best, if not the only, way to go forward.

Brexiteers would argue – quite strongly, that change is the better scenario. That the UK needs to leave the EU and strike out on its own, trading with a world that is flowing with milk and honey.

Yet it’s true to say, that the current uncertainty could lead to a second referendum, or an election or another hung parliament with ultimately, the UK remaining in the EU. And, what will people make of that?

Hindsight will tell whether this is to be the best of times or the worst of times. The thing that will best suit everyone, is for a decision to be made so that we can move on. There shouldn’t be a need to fear change, if it is handled correctly.

If you’re considering buying a new car in the next few months, it’s a good idea to start looking at your current finances to give you a clearer idea of what you can afford – especially if you’re looking at monthly payments, either through car finance or a loan.

Here are some things to consider when planning out your budget.

Your current car payments

If you’re currently a car owner and looking to upgrade, either in price, style or both, it’s important to have a look at what your current motoring outgoings are. This doesn’t just mean the actual cost of the car, maybe you have a monthly finance payment, but also the cost for upkeep. Such as petrol, insurance, road tax, servicing and repairs and even parking costs. Are there areas where you could look to save some money? Can you look at cars with low or even zero road tax? It’s worth looking at these areas and seeing if you can make some smart savings without compromising on your car choice.

What’s your car worth?

Do you own your current car outright? If so, depending on its age and condition, it might be worth some money as a deposit on a newer model. At the same time as doing your research for your new car you should get some quotes for your current model as either a part exchange towards a new car or as a private sale which you could use as part of a deposit. If you don’t own the car outright and maybe have some finance left to pay, contact the finance company for your settlement figure as you’ll need to take this into consideration when looking for a new car.

Your other monthly outgoings

Motoring costs can take up a big chunk of our monthly outgoings, along with our mortgage or rent, food shopping, bills and nights out! So, when you’re planning the budget for your next car, it’s important to factor in all your non-motoring bills. There’s no point in stretching your budget for that souped-up sports car when you don’t have enough money left over to fill the fridge, never mind fill the tank!

If you’re shopping for your first car it’s easy to get carried away and want your dream car instantly, but it’s important to be realistic. There’s plenty of years ahead to build up to that dream roadster.

Think of the future

We’re all for living in the moment but when it comes to planning your budget, it’s a good thing to think of your future and any big changes that you’re planning. Are you vying for the big promotion which means a move to the big city? Or are you thinking of expanding your family, or even buying a house? For many, when buying a new car, it means monthly payments in the form of car finance, bank loan or credit card, which also means you’re agreeing to pay that amount for a fixed term, normally over a few years. So, if you’ve got other big plans in the next couple of years, it’s worth taking these into consideration. Is that 2-seater roadster a good idea when planning a family? Will that luxury SUV be worth it when you’ll be using your bus pass Monday to Friday? Or does that new job come with a company car?

Remember your car is your source of freedom, independence and ultimately fun. So, don’t tie yourself down with extra bills and outgoings that spoil the enjoyment of hitting the open road!

Budget sorted and ready to start your search for your next car? Browse over 200,000 cars in stock from trusted dealers throughout the UK at Exchange and Mart and s1cars.

It’s not like a school test, you can’t cheat your way through, but it also doesn’t require any last minute cramming the night before. Nevertheless, if you want to prepare yourself, here’s our guide to everything you need to know about an MOT.

What is an MOT?

An MOT is a legal requirement in which your car is tested to check that it meets road safety and environmental standards. It should be carried out by a qualified MOT tester at an MOT testing centre.

When do I need to get an MOT?

Your car will be due its MOT either on the third anniversary of its registration or the anniversary of its last MOT if it’s over 3 years old.

You’ll be sent a reminder letter a month before your MOT is due or you can opt to receive text message reminders from www.gov.co.uk/mot-reminder

You don’t have to wait until your due date to have the MOT carried out, you can have your MOT carried out up to a month (minus a day) early and still keep the same renewal date. But don’t leave it too late. If you’re caught driving without an MOT you could be prosecuted if caught and fined up to £1,000.

What happens during an MOT?

Only an approved MOT test centre can carry out your MOT, so look out for the blue sign with 3 white triangles. Important parts of your vehicle will be tested to ensure that they meet legal requirements, such as body, fuel system, exhaust, seatbelts, seats, mirrors, wipers, doors, brakes, tyres, wheels and even your registration plate! The test doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. Remember this isn’t the same as having your annual service carried out so don’t forget to arrange that when needed.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary depending on the vehicle, but the maximum cost for a car with up to 8 passenger seats is £54.85.

What happens after the MOT?

You’ll be notified whether your vehicle has passed or failed as soon as the test has been carried out. If your vehicle has passed, you’ll be given a new MOT certificate and it’ll be recorded in the MOT database. You may also be given a list of ‘minor’ or ‘advisory’ things to monitor or fix over time but haven’t been deemed serious enough to fail the vehicle. But these should be carefully watched and actioned when possible.

If your vehicle has failed, this means there are more serious problems that mean your vehicle is not road safe. You’ll be given a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ and the failure will be recorded on the MOT database. The repair centre may then give you a cost for having these items fixed and then retested.

You can take your vehicle away if your current MOT certificate is still valid and no dangerous problems were listed. But if you do choose to leave without getting the problems seen to, there is a list of minimum requirements your car must meet before you can drive away.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ problem.

The aim is to take care of your car and it’ll take care of you, and hopefully last a long time. Over that time, we grow close to our cars, giving them names, makeovers and even talking to them. But when it comes to changing your car, how do you know when it’s time?

That rattling noise just won’t go away

That noise has been bugging you for a while now and no matter how many times you take it to the garage for a fix, it just isn’t getting better. As much as you’ve cared for your car over the years and love even its rusty bits, if it’s becoming costly or unsafe to drive then maybe it’s time to say goodbye. Older cars do need a lot more TLC than newer ones but if you’re not prepared for the cost involved in the upkeep then it might be time to upgrade to something a bit friendlier on your bank balance.

It’s a non-starter

Did you ignore that rattling sound a bit too long? Good news: the rattling has stopped, bad news: the car won’t start. If your car is past repair and magic will not bring it back to life, then it’s definitely time to go car shopping. Although your old car might not be worth much to you, it’s worth checking if you can sell it for parts or even bag yourself a cheeky trade-in, you never know – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

You’ve grown out of it

This could mean both literally and figuratively. Maybe you bought a little run-around as your first car to get over all those first-time nerves, bumps and scratches and now you’re ready for something a bit more grown up. Or maybe you need a bit more space – changing from a Mini to a Minivan? Throughout your time as a driver, your car will grow with you and adapt to your ever-changing life. Whether that’s treating yourself to that souped up turbo engine or looking for some extra boot space to fit the pram.

Time for an upgrade

Purchasing a car, no matter what the price, is a big financial commitment and often depends on what our other outgoings are. So normally when choosing your car depends on what your budget is at the time. So, when you get a little free cash, maybe your outgoings are coming down or you bagged that sought-after promotion then it’s only natural to think – ‘is it time for an upgrade?’. But remember, always try to live within your means and don’t put pressure on your finances. There are so many great deals available so getting that dream car can be a little bit closer without regretting it a few months down the line.

More fun

As many people are looking to increase the size of their car to fit the family, there’s just as many that don’t need the boot size anymore and are opting for something a little smaller. Maybe all the kids are grown up and have their own cars and you’re looking for a convertible to enjoy the beautiful summer weather? Sometimes our car decision is based on our practical needs and not down to the joy of driving but it’s great when you find the car that does both.

If a new car is calling you then make sure you check out the thousands of used car deals we have available from dealers throughout the UK.

Audi’s range continues to expand. The latest generation A6 saloon and Avant models claim to take autonomous driving to the next level. Executives looking for an extra dash of style meanwhile, are being targeted by the new second generation A7 Sportback that’s a smarter, more unique option. There’s an all-new A1 Sportback model too, a revised version of the TT sportscar and a new second-generation version of the Q3 compact SUV.

ONE TO WATCH: The new Q3 is now smarter and more efficient, these being attributes it’ll need if it’s to make headway in this increasingly crowded segment.

BMW

The key news for BMW dealers in recent months has been the launch of a second-generation version of the company’s mid-sized X4 SUV Coupe. There’s also a fresh lifestyle-orientated option for Executive segment buyers in the form of the new 6 Series Gran Turismo model. In other news, the company has revised its i3 electric range and added a sporty i3s variant. There’s also a new M5 high performance sports saloon, a ‘Competition’ version of the M2 coupe and a roadster version of the top i8 sportscar.

ONE TO WATCH: The X4 is a far more competitive mid-sized premium-badged SUV-Coupe than its predecessor.

SEAT

SEAT’s most important recent arrival in the brand’s mid-sized 7-seat SUV segment is the Tarraco. You get sharp styling, plenty of interior space and, the Iberian maker hopes, a dash of Spanish flair. In other news, the company has introduced a super-hot hatch model, the Leon Cupra R – now sold out. SEAT also has plans in the future to launch ‘Cupra’ as a separate sub-brand for its high-performance models the first being the Cupra Ateca.

ONE TO WATCH: SEAT’s Tarraco aims to shake up the mid-sized 7-seat SUV market.

SKODA

The big news is the introduction of a heavily revised version of the company’s Fabia supermini, but Skoda now finds SUVs more profitable. Earlier this year, they launched the Qashqai-class mid-sized Karoq to sell just beneath the 7-seat Kodiaq and the launch of the Skoda Kamiq combines the agility and handling of a compact car with the traditional advantages of an SUV.

The rest of Skoda’s line-up has been significantly revised in recent times. The Citigo citycar has undergone a minor update, plus the Rapid models have also been given a facelift and gained a new 1.0 TSI engine. That unit also features in the lightly revised version of the company’s Octavia family hatch, which features a potent vRS 245 flagship variant. The launch of the Skoda Kamiq combines the agility and handling of a compact car with the traditional advantages of an SUV.

ONE TO WATCH: Skoda has a strong contender in the hatchback segments, in the shape of its new Scala hatch.

SMART

The fortwo and forfour citycar models are both now available in full-battery-powered ‘EQ’ form. Power comes from a 60kW (81bhp) electric motor mated to a one-speed auto transmission. In other smart news, the standard fortwo and forfour ranges have a new, more affordable ‘pure’ entry trim level.

ONE TO WATCH: smart fortwo EQ is a good bet for city driving in eco style.

If brand-new isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a great deal on a used or delivery mileage car, then check out our thousands of great deals, from local trusted dealers throughout the UK.

We’ve also got a huge range of new car reviews and used car guides to help with your car research.

The first thing to remember is that not all bodyshops are the same. Anyone can patch your car up with a hammer and a touch of filler, but in the long run there’s little doubt that going this route will cost you more than you save.

Today’s cars tend to need more sophisticated equipment to get them back to pristine condition, particularly if the accident damage has been substantial. So, it’s important to find the right bodyshop, which might be a specialist repair centre for your make and model. When it comes to getting a quote for your repair work, ask the workshop what kind of tooling they have and check that their staff are properly trained to deal with your car. Maybe they are associated with trade or motoring organisations?

Secondly, make sure that you get a number of quotes before deciding. Find out if they work regularly for any of the well-known franchised dealerships.

Finally, it’s worth checking out any extra customer service provided. If you don’t have it covered in your insurance policy already, is there any possibility of a loan car while your vehicle is off the road? Will the workshop offer a free collection and delivery service? A little time on the phone could save you a lot of money, plus it could be the deciding factor between two workshops!

Of course, accidents aren’t the only reason for a visit to the bodyshop. Older cars in particular will suffer the effects of weather and show up wear and tear more easily. Without preventive maintenance, your bodywork may well end up in a sorry state. The key to keeping your older vehicle running well for years to come is to keep it well maintained. Look after your car and it’ll look after you. Remember it’s not all about your car looking good, it’s about keeping it safe and roadworthy too.

If possible, keep your car in a garage or under cover. This is important not only during bad weather, but in good weather too as cars with older paint work can fade quicker during prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ask your bodywork centre for any paint treatments that will help keep your car shinier for longer if you don’t have the luxury of a garage to keep it safe in.

Clean and polish the paintwork with a good quality polish and, for extra protection, add a coat of gloss protectant. Resist the temptation to cut back the paint, however bad it looks modern paints do not need aggressive treatment.

Treat all exterior plastics and rubber with a suitable dressing – you may find that some plastic surfaces have faded.

Wash regularly with a genuine car shampoo to keep the car in top shape. Don’t use household dish washing liquid, as this is designed to cut through grease and is too aggressive for car paintwork.

It can also depend on what kind of car you’re looking for, whether it’s a brand-new, just-out-the-wrapper model or if it’s more about the price than if it’s the latest edition.

So, here are our tips for getting the best deal at the best time of year.

New registrations

You’re no doubt aware of new registration releases that happen in March and September every year. If not, it basically means that new registration plates are released on 1st March and 1st September so plates for 2019 March will be 19 plates and September will be 69 plates. Although new models are released from manufacturers all year round, if you’re looking for a car with the latest plate then these are the months for you. Start your research a few months before though, as you can sometimes pre-order and collect as soon as it’s released.

Making way for new releases

With dealers having to make way for brand-new releases and new editions, this means that the ‘older’ versions often see a price drop. So, if you’ve got your eye on a car but know there is a newer edition on the horizon, if can often be fruitful to hold back and see what great offers become available when the new model is released. This way you can get a bargain on a nearly new car and no one will ever know the difference, although your bank balance might!

Tis the season

Car dealers are just the same as any other retailer, with seasonal offers happening all through the year. You’ll often find that just like your favourite clothes shop is having a summer sale, your local car dealer is prepping for the same. More dealers are jumping on the marketing band wagon and having their own ‘Black Friday’ deals, Christmas giveaways and January sales. Car dealers have targets to make just like any other business, so take advantage of these promotional offers.

Time to upgrade?

Is your finance agreement coming to an end? Many drivers these days are taking advantage of the great finance offers available and often opt for PCP deals which means you finance the car over a few years and often have a balloon payment, or guaranteed future value, at the end. If your agreement is coming to an end, you’ll probably expect a call from your car dealer soon with great offers on a newer car. There’s no pressure, but once you get that new car itch it’s hard to get rid of.

If you’re looking for a car then really the best time to buy is when you’re ready. There will always be great deals out there but, with buying a car being a huge financial decision, it’s important that you take time to do your research. At Exchange and Mart and s1cars, we have thousands of car reviews (new and used), buying tips, advice and thousands of great deals from dealers throughout the UK.